TSMC Starts Production of Apple’s A8 Chip

Apple’s new chip supplier partner TSMC has already started producing the A8 SoC for the iPhone 6, reports Agence France Press, fueling further speculation about Apple and Samsung parting ways (via G4Games).

Citing supply chain sources speaking with the Taipei-based Commercial Times, the AFP reports that TSMC started manufacturing the A8 chip last month. The news corroborates an earlier report about TSMC becoming the sole manufacturer of the A8 chip.

The Taiwanese semiconductor giant has secured most of the manufacturing orders for logic and power management integrated chips, the report reads. The chip will be used in the new iPhone, which is projected to have a 4.7-inch screen and will be available in the third quarter of 2014.

Although TSMC has declined to comment on the matter, the company’s shares were up 2.33%.

The AFP report corroborates earlier claims that Apple will reduce its reliance on Samsung by contracting TSMC and giving the majority of A8 chip orders to the Taiwanese company.